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The Himalayan mountains dominate Nepal, spiking into the sky like a challenge, summoning trekkers to the summit of Mount Everest’s 18,200 foot Kala Pattar. Not feeling the whole “because it’s there” climbing/freezing thing? Nepal is laced with trails that link its mountain villages. The roster of possible treks in Nepal spans a full range of levels of difficulty.

Gentler hikes abound in the valleys around Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital city. While wandering the noisy, colorful, aromatic streets of Kathmandu, collectors can stock up on goddess statues, spices and embroidered shirts, and a number of shrines are a big draw for sightseers. The Helambu trail introduces travelers to Nepal’s farmlands and Sherpa culture. One can explore other diverse cultures of Nepal on the Jomosom trek, passing through villages populated by Brahmin, Magar, Gurun and Chhetri cultures. When your toes get tired, you can hop on a pony in Pokhara and explore the landscape on four feet instead of two. In Pokhara, the Gupteshwor Mahadev cave is a humid natural lingam shrine of reputedly great power. Hang-gliding is also popular there. One can ride elephants in the Royal Chitwan National Park, or explore this wildlife rich jungle on foot, or by canoe.